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Summer is in full swing and it’s time to pair the sweet sounds of live Jazz, Blues and even Classic Rock with your favorite pour! Santa Ynez Valley’s wine country offers a fantastic menu of summer sounds and it’s not too late to sip and savor from them all. Here’s where you can sip to the sounds of Live Summer Concerts in Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country:

Solvang Summer Concert Series – These free, Wednesday evening concerts offer the opportunity to picnic in the park while enjoying great company, delicious food and live music. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and fully-outfitted picnics – including their favorite beverages (think local vintners!). Edible delights are available for purchase as is the nearby Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market for stocking up on perfect picnic provisions.

Music on the Patio at Root 246 Solvang is the spot for your favorite songs on this covered patio every Friday evening from 6 – 9 p.m. Happy Hour from 4 to 6:30 p.m., a full menu of craft-based cuisine, one of the most extensive selections of local wines, whiskey and craft beer, and refreshing signature cocktails unlike anything you’ve tried before.

Standing Sun Live – Stop on by, grab glass of Syrah, check out the local food truck options, take a walk through The Gallery, and then take a seat and tap your toes to some great artists in a unique intimate setting. Bands from Seattle to Los Angeles, from Austin to Nashville – and everything in-between are featured at this unique industrial winery.

Sunday Concert Series at Zaca Mesa Winery – The last Sunday of every month features live local music out on their patio from 12-3 p.m. It is free for everyone, so bring your friends, pack a picnic, and enjoy a bottle of wine to enjoy for a great afternoon! Don’t miss the summer season wind down with live music by local artist Sean Wiggins on Labor Day, September 5, from 1-4 p.m.

Jazz & Beyond in the Garden Series at the Solvang Festival Theater –
Wine country ambiance under the oaks in the garden and delightfully diverse music ranging from a Grammy Award winner to the local best, may be just the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Wine, beer and snacks available for purchase. Tickets are $30 at the gate.

We can’t think of too many things that pair better with a notable glass of Santa Ynez Valley wine than great live music in a cozy, relaxing venue. Well, perhaps delicious craft food bites and a relaxing place to stay the night would complete the picture, but you can be sure Santa Ynez Valley had that covered too! Complete your perfect sounds of summer getaway with a perfect stay. The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott is located just minutes from many of the SYV area wineries and Solvang, so don’t worry. Contact us to find out about our current specials and packages.

As July comes to a close, August quickly becomes the center of attention and fall isn’t far behind. Sure, the weather will start cooling down soon, but Santa Ynez Valley is just getting warmed up. Here are five events to get excited about to make sure you end your summer on a high-note.

Concerts in the Park (July 29, August 5, 12, 19)Ok, ok, so this has been going every Wednesday since mid-June but you still have FOUR chances to get out and enjoy some great live music in the park! This event is held weekly at Solvang Park from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Solvang Park Gazebo. Catch Black Train Bluegrass Roots Trio tomorrow, July 29th, with dining in the park provided by Good2Go Dogs & Cecco. Nothing beats live music especially under the California sunset. You can view the full schedule of the remaining acts here.

Sevtap Winery Grape Stomp Party (August 29)The 2015 Grape Stomp Party is an SYV staple! Hosted by Sevta Winery, bring in the fall season with live music, food and, of course, wine! (Lots of wine)

Solvang Danish Days (September 18 – September 20)Back for its 79th, yes 79th, celebration, the Solvang Danish Days Festival got its start in 1936 in honor of the village’s 25th anniversary. Danish Days celebrates Solvang’s heritage with authentic food, music, dancing, parades, live entertainment and family activities. The festival inspires its festival-goers to “live like Vikings” for the weekend. Take the international trip without leaving the USA!

Los Alamos Old Days Celebration (September 25-27)Los Alamos Old Days Street Festival is a true classic. A celebration of its heritage, the festival includes a car show, parade, vendors, Kids Zone, silent auction, and a Chili Cook Off! The event is free so bring the whole family!

Dallas Cowboys Training Camp (July 31 – August 27th)Now if you really want to have some fun, take the drive down to Oxnard, California to watch the world’s second most valuable sports team prepare for the 2015 NFL football season. Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and the entire Dallas Cowboys football team will be on full display free of charge. Catch some practice, hit the beach and make it a trip you won’t soon forget!

A mix of countryside charm and modern amenities, the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott is designed for an unpretentious Santa Barbara wine country escape. Envelope your senses and renew your spirit in the serenity and beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley!

As summer winds down and we return to more normal schedules of school and work, there’s much to look forward to in Santa Ynez Valley. From festivals celebrating our roots of heritage to festivals celebrating the roots of our crops, let’s celebrate fall!

Fall Events in SYV

2014 Grape Stomp Party
Bring the season to a start with a classic Grape Stomp Party! Hosted by Sevtap Winery, this harvest get-together will include live music, food and wine to set the mood for the main event. Buy tickets through Sevtap Winery’s website now.

Santa Barbara Vinters Celebration of Harvest
Celebrating the fruit (literally) of their labor, this harvest celebration includes wine maker dinners, winery and tasting room open houses and library tastings over the Columbus Day Weekend. There’s never been a better time to visit and discover the magic of this slice of California Wine Country!

Danish Days Festival
A visit to Solvang, CA is almost like making an international trip without leaving the country! And of all times to discover the Danish history that makes Solvang the treasure it is, the September weekend of the Danish Days Festival is simply the best. Danish food and dances will fill Solvang’s streets while its museums and businesses open their doors to visitors’ delight. For a full schedule of events, visit their site.

Los Alamos Old Days Street Festival
A true town of the Old West, Los Alamos celebrates its heritage each year with a festival. Complete with a car show, parade, food and live music, this year’s celebration is one for the whole family. Join them the weekend of September 26-28!

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There’s something truly magical about fall in Santa Ynez Valley. And while summer may be coming to a close, that doesn’t mean your traveling has to. The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, situated among the area’s gorgeous vineyards, is a perfect place to celebrate the new season.

Beyond the rolling hills of California wine country, there’s a lot of happiness spreading thanks to artisan cheese farms and shops popping up across California. A perfect match to the region’s first love, wine, the specialty of craft of artisan cheese is entering a new era in Santa Ynez Valley.

Image via matchmywine.com

Artisan Cheese in Santa Ynez Valley

So what exactly is “artisan” cheese?
Artisan cheese is made by hand, using the craftsmanship skills of traditional cheese makers. It is the old-school, slow, small-scale creation of cheese.

What makes artisan cheese special?
Each artisan cheese undergoes a specific aging and ripening process in order to achieve certain aesthetics including a more developed flavor and texture. As a result, the cheeses are more complex in their taste and variety, reflecting the environment they were produced in.

Where in Santa Ynez Valley can the trend be found?
A number of businesses, including the recently opened Santa Ynez Valley Cheese Company are proud carriers of artisan cheese. Here are just a few of Santa Ynez Valley’s best options:

Santa Ynez Valley Cheese Company
If you’re not a cheese lover yet, owners Russ and Kristin Collins promise to make you one by the time you leave their newly opened shop! Located in downtown Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Ynez Valley Cheese Company is a new favorite among locals. Currently selling artisan cheese and cured meats, the Collins family has plans to one day produce and sell their own brand of artisan cheese thanks in large part to their own herd of sheep.

Follow SYV Cheese Company on Facebook and read more about their journey here.

Los Olivos Grocery
The Los Olivos Grocery store is perhaps one of the best kept secrets when it comes to artisan cheese in Santa Ynez Valley. Offering an array of cheeses from around the world, the grocery store also has a cheese course available to teach you everything you need to know on how to become a connoisseur.

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The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott is thrilled to play host to your California foodie adventures. From wine to cheese, our staff is prepared to help you plan the perfect outings to experience the taste of Santa Ynez Valley. Book our Santa Ynez Valley Grapeline Wine Tour Package for a carefree day in the Santa Ynez Valley hosted by a wine country insider, room accommodations and lots of foodie extras upon arrival in your room.

We’ve officially entered the long and sweet days of summer. There’s something about this season that calls for a slower pace, more time dedicated to simple things and dates with our favorite people. Whether you’re an SYV native or visiting for the week, make this list of events a part of your own summer 2014 in Santa Ynez Valley.

Santa Ynez Valley Dreamin – Summer in SYV

Wine Tasting All Summer with the Summer Pass
Your ticket to wine tastings at 15 premier boutique wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley, the Summer Pass at $40, is perhaps the best deal of the season! No reservation required, pass is good through August 31, 2014.

Fourth of July Festival & Fireworks Show
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of the Santa Ynez Valley, these explosions in the sky are considered the best on the Central Coast. Gates open at 1 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9 p.m. with fun, games and food in between.

Movie Night at Sevtap Tasting Room
Join the fine folks of Sevtap every Thursday for movies and good drinks. Movies range from cartoons to classics, including Casablanca later this month.

Jazz Under the Stars
Every Wednesday, dine under the shade of beautiful trees at The Vineyard House and enjoy the sounds of cool jazz all night long. A different artist or band every week, they’ll keep you coming back all summer.

Blind Tasting Thursdays
At Wandering Dog Wine Bar, every Thursday night is a great foodie adventure as you challenge your palate and learn about wine at the same time!

3rd Annual Santa Ynez Valley Polo Classic
Benefiting People Helping People, join one of the area’s favorite summer events on July 19, 2014. Enjoy the thrill of polo – live and up close, along with a champagne reception and 3-course gourmet lunch. You’re invited to dress for the occasion with creative hats and festive charm.

Summer Concerts in Solvang Park
Every third Wednesday of the month, Solvang Park is filled with the music of the night. Open to the public, the concerts are free so grab your chairs, blankets and picnics and revel in a night of summer air and great music.

Solvang Farmers Market
Every Wednesday, enjoy all things local by shopping at the neighborhood Farmer’s Market.

Movies in Solvang Park
Grab the family and head to Solvang Park this summer on Friday nights for classics of all kinds. Still on the roster for this summer? Despicable Me 2, The Lego Movie, Frozen and Star Trek.

In the Vineyard and on the Farm
Seated beneath the sky and between the vines at Bernat Vineyards, join wine maker Sam Marmorstein, farmers Debby and Shu Takikawa and Chef Chris Joslyn for an unforgettable dining experience this August.

All Farm Dinner at Buttonwoods
Celebrating the farm-to-table tradition and their 8th year of bounty, Buttonwoods Farm, Vineyard and Winery invites you to a dinner under the stars. In true farm-to-table form, all parts of the meal, from arm-raised meat, farm-grown fruits and vegetables to Buttonwood’s famous peaches and award-winning wines will hail from Buttonwoods own land.

28th Annual Los Olivos Quick Draw & Arts Festival
This August, enjoy the arts in Los Olivos! This festival invites you to step into studios, observe talented artists as they work to complete original pieces of work within 1 hour and then sell them to the highest bid during an exciting live auction. Peruse different artists showing and selling original work, listen to live music, and enjoy delicious food and wine served by Chef/Partner Robbie Wilson and his team as well.

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The Santa Ynez Valley Marriott appreciates all the best things about summer – and we’re proud to help you experience them all during your stay. You’ll enjoy fabulous coastal weather and breathtaking sunsets as you pedal past miles of vineyards and cattle grazing the gentling rolling hillsides of SYV. Dinner al fresco by our outdoor pool will bring your night to a relaxing close while a sound sleep in one of our Marriott Revive beds will ready you for another day of SYV summer adventure! Book your summer stay now.

For the past month, the Santa Ynez Valley has been engulfed in the merry, yeast-filled celebration otherwise known has Santa Ynez Valley Craft Beer Month. Perhaps most celebrated for its wine-soaked hills, the towns of SYV have increasingly become known as a place for artisan brews, flight tastings and craft brew festivals as well. Craft Beer Month is coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean pint glasses need be put away for the next 11 months.

SYV Beer Trail Map – When on a mission, it’s always best to have a game plan. The Santa Ynez Valley Beer Trail Map is the perfect one-stop shop for planning all your brewing adventures. Created by VisitSYV.com, the map gives the lay of the land with breweries, brew shops and more, broken down by town. Download your free map today.

Solvang Brewing Company – Located in Solvang, the “Danish Capital of America,” Solvang Brewing Company is where Danish tradition, craft beer and delicious food come together. With deep roots in the community, including one founding owner who is a fourth generation Solvang born Dane, local pride is a staple here. They brewing company also recently won a Gold Medal in the San Diego International Beer Festival competition.

Valley Brewers – Everything you need for DIY libations, Valley Brewers specializes in home brew, wine and cheese making supplies.

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. – Run by a father/son team, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. has an affinity for top tier beers, particularly those that showcase the unique flavors of the Santa Ynez Valley. Their beers have one numerous awards at the Denver International Beer Competition, Los Angeles International Beer Festival, World Beer Cup and World Beer Championships to name a few. Stop in at their Buellton taproom or Los Olivos tasting room for firsthand experiences!

Firestone Walker Brewing Company – A three time Great American Beer Festival winner and 4 time World Beer Cup champion, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is serious about creating quality brews. The company has come a long way from its first days as a small brewery and now serves the entire Central Coast region of California. For those wanting to learn the ins and outs of their processes, complimentary, guided tours of their brew house and cellar are offered daily.

Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe – Captured in the Oscar-award winning film, Sideways, Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe has been a must-stop for wine, beer and food lovers since its opening in 1995. Lunch and dinner menus are updated seasonally to capture the tastes of the central Californian coast and beer and wine tastings are available daily until 5 pm.

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Journeys can be taxing – which is why the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott invites you to relax inside our comfortable, spacious walls before, during and after your trip down the SYV Beer Trail. Sleeping in won’t be difficult thanks to our Marriott Revive beds and complimentary wireless Internet, over-sized work desks, sofas, easy chairs and mini-refrigerators mean the comforts of home are never too far away. And even if you don’t make it through the brew map, local favorites including Firestone Walker Brewing and Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. are available on-site in our Winner’s Circle Lounge. Book your trail-blazing stay now!

There’s no denying the beauty of Santa Ynez Valley. Generations of families have made their home here because of it. Thousands of people visit every year because of it. Even film directors, so delighted with the area, decided to make their movies here because of it. Forever immortalized on the silver screen, here is a brief film guide to Santa Ynez Valley.

Scene It – Movies filmed in beautiful Santa Ynez Valley

Sideways: Perhaps most famous, Sideways is the 2004 Oscar-award winning film by Alexander Payne. Following Miles and Jack (Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church), the movie traipses through California wine country as the men take one last road trip before Jack’s impending wedding. Capturing the Santa Ynez Valley in a tender, evocative way, Payne makes the land a character all its own, masterfully capturing small towns such as Solvang as well as local wineries, Ostrich Land and Gaviota State Beach. Lacing the land through the scenes and emotions of the men’s journeys, the film instantly makes you want to pay a visit, too.

Following the film’s success, fans began making their own journeys to the area to retrace the men’s steps. Maps for self-guided tours are available as well as professionally led ones. And ten years later, a celebration is planned this coming October for the film’s 10th anniversary.

Flying Lessons – A 2010 indepent film, Flying Lessons stars Maggie Grace and Hal Hol Brook as an unlikely pair, both struggling to remember their pasts. Shot solely in the Santa Ynez Valley, local director and producer Derek Magyar chose his home turf for the film because he believed it to be a picturesque canvas. Filming locations included downtown Santa Ynez streets and local spots like Maverick Saloon, Artiste Wine Tasting & Gallery and the Fossemalle Dance Studio.

Of Mice and Men – The 1992 film of John Steinbeck’s Depression-era classic has roots in the Santa Ynez Valley as well. Filmed in California’s rugged countryside, the rolling hills of SYV play witness to the friendship, dreams and downfalls of Lennie and George.

It’s Complicated – Nancy Meyers’ 2009 film starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin captures the complicated relationship of a divorced couple while simultaneously capturing the tranquil charm and cool of nearby Westlake Village and Santa Barbara. It’s Meyers’ well-known eye for gorgeous backdrops that pushes SYV into the film as a quiet, but unmissable character.

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Knowing that Hollywood has already give its stamp of approval, isn’t it time to experience the movie magic of SYV personally? Proud to be in the very center of the scene, it’s Santa Ynez Valley Marriott’s pleasure to make your stay as film-worthy as possible with adventure packages including bicycle tours, wine tours and romantic getaways as well as VIP accommodations and amenities.

Can we agree that life would be better if every day included a leisurely brunch? For most of us, brunch remains a weekend-only pastime, but fortunately, the Santa Yenz Valley has no shortage of delicious spots to make the most of it.

Next time you’re in the area, here are a few spots to brunch in the Santa Ynez Valley:

Starting Gate RestaurantInside the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott, the options are yours for the taking at Starting Gate Restaurant. From a breakfast buffet with made-to-order omelets, eggs, crisp bacon, waffles, cereal and granola to modern classics like French toast, huevos rancheros, 3-egg omelets with the freshest ingredients and piping hot coffee and juice, there’s no way you’ll leave hungry – or unsatisfied.

Vineyard House Restaurant
Located in a 1907 Victorian home, Vineyard House Restaurant is surrounded by gardens and views of the area’s surrounding mountains. Under the shade of century-old pepper trees, brunch on frittatas, crab benedict, French toast, steak and eggs, fresh salads, pasta and pizza. This is a place that brings all the best of California to the table.

Café Quackenbush
Don’t be fooled by the small menu, this café and gallery is a Los Alamos treasure that excels in sandwiches (pulled pork, oven-roasted turkey) and daily soups alike. And that’s not to say that breakfast items including brioche French toast, omelets (ham and brie, Dungeness crab) are to be missed. Sit among artwork in the gallery, inside the café or outdoors with a view of historic Los Alamos.

Fresco Valley CaféLocated in the Danish-haven of Solvang, Fresco Valley Café prides itself on fresh, organic, sustainable Californian cuisine. From scrumptious breakfast sandwiches and their quiche-of-the-day to hearty breakfast burritos and scrambles, they live up to their sustainable goal by using only local free range organic eggs. Top the meal off by sipping fresh cappuccinos, mimosas and bellinis under the patio’s umbrellas and you’ll definitely be glad that you got out of bed that morning.

Mother Hubbard’s Restaurant
If you want to dine where all the locals are, round up your crew and head to Mother Hubbard’s Restaurant. Located in Buellton, this diner is a family affair with options for days. From family favorites listed on the menu to griddle vittles and omelets galore, this is a home cooking kind of place where, with time, everybody knows your name.

Paula’s Pancake HouseCharles and Paula Greenwald have been serving breakfast to the Santa Yenz Valley for three and half decades. It was with Paula’s Pancake House, opened in 1986, that Danish pancakes became their calling card. Committed to exceptional food quality, fresh ingredients and genuine hospitality, their breakfast is served all day.

You don’t have to be in the Santa Ynez Valley long before realizing that this is a special place. The nature is picturesque, the weather practically perfect and the pastimes, like bike riding, wine tasting and general life celebrating, are simply everyday events. Yet underneath those present day realities thrums a rich history of foreign culture and westward expansion that has shaped the valley into what is today.

Here’s a glance into the history of the Santa Ynez Valley.

The towns that make up the Santa Ynez Valley were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (Ballard in 1881, Santa Ynez in 1882, Los Olivos in 1887, Solvang in 1911 and Buellton in 1920) and as each unique town formed, a new culture arrived in SYV.

Danish-American settlers brought their old world to a very new, undeveloped California in the early 1800s, creating a rich mix of the two in the town of Solvang. Danish for “sunny field,” Solvang remains a European treasure in the heart of California wine country complete with windmills overhead and a replica of Copenhagen’s Round Tower in the town center. Many of the town’s shops and restaurants, including Mortensen’s, Greenhouse Café and the Red Viking Restaurant, provide a taste of the old world while other Danish traditions including the Danish language, folk dancing, music and festivals keep the traditions alive. While in town, visit the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art as well as the Hans Christian Andersen Museum to put the finishing touches on your Danish cultural experience.

Starting in 1858, the Overland Coast Line Stagecoach helped grow the Santa Ynez Valley as it ran from San Francisco to Los Olivos and then on to Los Angeles, San Diego and finally Yuma, Arizona. As people traveled the line, economic activity poured into the towns making them true pictures of the West complete with saloons, blacksmiths and mercantile stores. Then, in 1887 the Pacific Coast Railroad helped bring more growth to the area by making it easier to transport large farming tools necessary for the area’s growing agricultural society.

An ideal climate for crops, the area first thrived with cattle and sheep as well as the growing of olives, peaches, walnuts, prunes, apples and cherries. At the time of Prohibition, roughly 500 acres of the valley were used for vineyards. It took nearly four decades after the repeal for the area’s wine culture to regenerate, but today nearly 20% of the valley’s land is under vines.
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If the mere thought of bacon cooking causes your mouth to water reminiscent of Pavlov’s pups…

If your most heartwarming childhood memories include Sunday mornings with mom cooking up that ultimate comfort food…

Then the Santa Ynez Valley, a bacon mecca in its own right, has the key to make your bacon dreams come true! The home of world-class vintages and craft beer adventure is now taking bacon-fever to a new level…because yes, even bacon pairs well with wine!

Bacon-philes unite!

Bacon And Barrels – Imagine an entire festival dedicated to cutting edge bacon concoctions and amazing cocktails to compliment them. As the bacon craze is reaching legendary status, that is just what the Santa Ynez Valley has in store Friday – Sunday July 19-21. The weekend kicks off with an all bacon dinner under the stars in Los Olivos. Followed by Saturday’s main event, at Saarloos and Sons Field, featuring the hottest chefs from the finest local restaurants preparing dishes starring bacon in its most inventive forms. The best mixologists, brewers, and wineries will quench your thirst with refreshing bacon-based and bacon-inspired cocktails and brews. Live music will be provided by the Mother Corn Shuckers, an 8 piece acoustic Bluegrass/Americana band based out of the Central Coast of California. Bacontrepreneurs and bacon-friendly brands will exhibit their wares and even a piggy petting zoo will be on hand. Celebrity Judges will award the ‘Jefe del Porko’ award to the Top Chef and Mixologist of the day for achievement in the bacon arts. It is destined to be a raucous, rockin’ good time for all. Sunday wraps up the bacon bonanza, so don’t leave yet! Cruise around the Santa Ynez Valley with your Bacon & Barrels wristband for deals on food, wine tasting, and more. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.Tickets availability is extremely limited so don’t hesitate! **Non-drinker tickets only available to date.

Make it a relaxing getaway and extend the bacon celebration with a stay at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott. Allow our attentive staff and soothingly sophisticated yet rural atmosphere envelop you in a rejuvenating getaway. Keep in the bacon spirit as you ease into your day with our Green Chile Buellton Burrito or the The Santa Ynez Omelet from the Starting Gate Restaurant, where innovative recipes of the Santa Ynez Valley to bring you inspiring cuisine. Perhaps then indulge poolside with the Marriott Burger featuring 100% Angus chuck, aged cheddar and served with onions and yes…crisp bacon. Highlighting local produce, house-made ingredients and a selection of wines from local vintners, our selections will encourage you to indulge your palate. Finally unwind in the Winners Circle Lounge with a wide selection of Santa Ynez Valley wines and micro brews to complete your day. Click here to book your stay today!

Innovative recipes pare with the bounty of the Santa Ynez Valley to bring you unique cuisine to inspire and delight your senses. Local produce, house-made ingredients and a selection of wines from local vintners will encourage you to indulge your palate.

Innovative recipes pare with the bounty of the Santa Ynez Valley to bring you unique cuisine to inspire and delight your senses. Local produce, house-made ingredients and a selection of wines from local vintners will encourage you to indulge your palate.